Memorial plans for Charles Melvin, V.C.

A plaque to commemorate Kirriemuir's three V.C. recipients was unveiled in Cumberland Close in 2006.

Angus Councillor Ronnie Proctor is seeking the help of the Kirriemuir community to create a fitting memorial to the town’s First World War V.C. holder.

At last month’s meeting of Kirriemuir Community Council, Mr Proctor gave an update on plans to commemorate the centenary of the start of Word War I, and plans in Angus to mark the sacrifice made by the county’s three holders of the Victoria Cross during The Great War.

Kirriemuir has three V.C. recipients - Captain Charles Lyell, Corporal Richard Burton and Private Charles Melvin; Private Melvin is the only First World War recipient from the town for his actions in 1917 as a member of the 2nd Battalion Black Watch (Royal Highlanders).

The two other V.C. medals were awarded to Angus soldiers during WWI - to Lance Corporal Charles Jarvis and Petty Officer George Samson of Carnoustie.

Jarvis, of the 57th Field Company Royal Engineers, was the first man to be awarded the V.C. in the First World War. Samson served in the Royal Naval Reserve on HMS River Clyde during the 1915 landing at Gallipoli.

Councillor Proctor said: “There is going to be funding available for some form of memorial for the V.C. winners from Angus. There are three - one from Kirriemuir and two from Carnoustie - and the money is coming from the U.K. government. We have explained that the community council has already unveiled a plaque for the town’s three V.C. holders in Cumberland Close, but this will be something else, perhaps up at the cemetery.

“I am meeting with Angus Provost Helen Oswald and councillor Iain Gaul to discuss this and would be happy to hear from anyone with any suggestions for an appropriate V.C. memorial for Charles Melvin.”